The citadel was lovely structure Petra thought now she had time to walk through it. Last time she set foot in the building. She had her Optivus Res slaughter anyone that stood in her way of taking the Bando Gora cult over. Even the former priestess was broken and left to live a fate according to Mirus’s desire. Since that day, the cult had been working on what Petra declared. New worshippers were made through the use of their notorious drugs while making more for Petra’s cult to use on worlds to convert even more.

Petra made herself comfortable where the former priestess would sit. Some of the ground was planned out before arriving at the citadel. However, the finer details were not. That was why the gathering spot where she was. Angelo, Serva and her Optivus Res were told be there with her. Angelo and Serva had a list of items to bring too. One Optivus Res was already there with her. It was Ancilla like normal, but there was another reason for her child to be there.

The Bando Gora was a cult devoted to their ways that Petra corrupted to her will. As such, she saw them being a possible private army of hers. Elite devoted fanatics with no other purpose than carrying out Petra’s will until their last breath of air. Harder core of what she had her Optivus Res set as. It was perfect to have the citadel and cult be used as Optivus Res members’ home and base of operations. These members could be used to assist her special Optivus Res in whatever mission they were set on. Nice cannon fodder and meat shields to protect her personal servants.

Ancilla was perfect to ensure these people would follow and be used. Petra had her so programmed in the life of service. So what she wanted would be carried out by Ancilla; one of the bonuses of raising a child from birth in that manner. Before others would arrive, she used the time to announce the new future of Bando Gora. Telling them how bless and honor their lives were now with the purpose she desire, also she added how all five of her Optivus Res were to obey. She did place rules so her commands could not be changed anyone else.

Aprilis exited out hyperspace after days in it from Endelaan. Angelo had to take the ship he was captain of a way to assist his mother in her plans. It was one that had supplies for making bombs. Angelo’s little gift and past had given the ship a larger supply holding than others. He and his team had spent time making pipe, vest, belt, and crate bombs.

Ship moved into an orbit around Kohlma even when they were making the bombs. It was communication officer notifying the citadel of their arrival. Angelo wanted to get the supplies ready, dropped off, and then leave the place. However, his gut was saying that Petra was going to make him stay longer than what he wanted. Tension between the two had increase more Angelo had love in his heart compare to having unadulterated violence. The whispers of change happening in the cult did not help bring him back to the fold.

“Mistress… Captain Cavataio’s ship reports being in orbit here.” A male voice behind a mask stated. The title that she was called shocked her. Ancilla was not used to being called that. She had been raised pretty much Petra’s personal slave. The woman understood why she got the title, but that was more for the other Optivus Res like Mira. Witnessing other Optivus Res being like her to Petra but return to their home to enjoy slaves, she was not like them. Of course, she was one that was pretty much always with Petra so chances were lower to develop that side of herself.

Ancilla gave the Bando Gora member a nod. Then she left the comm room. Walking through the halls, the citadel showed her why her mother would take it. She passed walls over men and women hanging from the wall while the Bando Gora’s drugs and whispers take a hold of them. There were converting facilities with the Cult but the way she saw in the citadel gave her chills of how barbaric it was.

Entering the temple, she walked passed masked members to get to Petra. “Goddess, Angelo’s ship checked in… I believe he did not send the notification but one of his crew did since it was told me like Captain Cavataio’s ship reports.” Ancilla told Petra before kneeling down at her deity’s feet. “And, I did send the message out to other Optivus Res like you desired it to say.”

Crates were being loaded with different types of bombs for the targets Petra told him about. So he had his crew go for pipe, package, and even crate size bombs. For him as he was helping out, there was a thought of maybe leaving his mother a surprise with a bomb just for her. That thought was not new but it was one resurfacing more often. He wanted to pay her back for what she did to the family. It was unknown how he wanted to do it.

Putting the last pipe bomb into the crate, Angelo sealed the crate for moving. Then he went to his crew to see if they were done. He came to find his people just bullshitting around. Cutting up and laughing hard, they were getting their heads in the right place. He joined them and added to the fun. There was no rush in his mind. It did not matter what time frame his mother had. It was going to be his as a way to poke his mother.

Hour later, transport ships left the large ship for the citadel. Angelo went to see his mother after they landed. The rest went to unload. He on other hand had a mother that might be pissed at him. He would just handle it as a normal thing since his brother was out of the picture.

“This will be a wonderful place… home of my Optivus Res and an army of mindless automatons to back my Optivus Resin their missions." Petra declared as her fingers ran through Ancilla’s hair.“And my Ancilla will make sure this system lives up to my desires.” She added to the mix. It was a side project to back up a future move she had in mind if those responsible of the attacks on the Republic and Imperial worlds came at her cult.

With a large smile, it was time to start the first stage of her attack. The transformations of all Bando Gora by the updated drug from the death cult. She ordered the captains to inject every single one chained up with the drugs and then themselves. All of them be blessed by the drug that would change their appearance to mottled skin and glowing eyes besides their strength and minds being changed. Lovely narcotics designed to alter minds in a planetary system.

Screams began to fill the halls when her son, Angelo, appeared. Sweet music from the transformation for her to speak over. “There is my boy… Came with my goodies and staying for the fun, sweetie?”

This was a shock to the man. He did not see a pleasant mother would stand before him. Before replying to the question, centering himself would need to be done. He did not want Petra to know where he stood regarding Nox’s death. “Of course, Ma’dri… what kind of son would I be if I didn’t do my duty for the family. Plus it’s fun to blow shit up.” Right as he finished, a smile formed. Not to what he said but what he thought. In his head he added, ‘and blowing you up too, witch.’

“Very good…” Petra started off with. Then she went into telling Angelo and Ancilla the plans she had in mind. Instructing them what the rest of the day was going to be like and how ship was going to be prepared. Targets were given to them were military facilities and the main communication tower. In her mind of having the focus on the military would draw all focus there while Ancilla and small group handle the tower. She added finer details to the plan like having Angelo and crew gas masks because Ancilla was instructed to release the chemicals Bando Gora use to convert people onto the city. However, Petra did leave out what she was doing on the planet. That was her own agenda and she viewed it as none of their business.

Getting a clear picture of task at hand, Ancilla was slightly saddened to move away from the attention she was receiving from Petra’s hand. She was enjoying the relaxing petting. Still she knew there was work and getting on her deity’s bad side was not her plan. Moving to get Bando Gora members vested and on Angelo’s ship. She spent the rest of day and night making sure everything was ready for the invasion. Even spent the early mornings clean her large rifle. It was like getting ready for a big ball or royal dance. Everything needed to be high class at the start of the bloodshed.

Angelo left his mother’s presence and met back up with his crew that came down with him. Precautions were taken for him to have the ability to speak with his people about what his mother might do. He did not believe masks would protect them from his mother’s plans. A feeling in his gut was signaling to him that she might pull something big on him and his people. The memory of how he felt when he found out about Nox added to the feelings and thoughts he was having.

Preparing was their thing that night. Angelo wanted to make sure the crew he was going to fight with would return safely. The time he had spent with them and tough spots they got themselves into many times built up their small brotherhood. He did not want to see it fall apart because of Petra. It hurt knowing Nox was gone, but if he lost this then he would have been better off killed.

Morning came and all were on Aprilis. It was breaking the moon’s orbit to enter the planet’s atmosphere. Observing her followers slowly getting into transport ships as there were many for the plan she had in mind. Petra walked through the hanger as she did watch. The ship was a Venator class so the hanger was split into halves. It was why she did not Angelo in the hanger she was in. However, Ancilla was down a ways and Petra was heading towards her. They were going to take the same ship down even though Petra had other plans.

Five captains of Bando Gora were waiting when Petra reached the transport ship. Half on her side of the hanger were going to Angelo’s task while the rest were with Ancilla. Petra only had five and they were the top of the group’s food chain. They were needed for her plan and would not hinder Ancilla’s mission.

Hanger doors opened up. It was time. Petra stepped into the ship. The large Venator class ship cut through the sky as it entered the planet’s atmosphere. Once the burn through entry finished, transport ships got the green light to start exiting the hanger. However, the ones that were going with Petra and Ancilla remained in place. Petra wanted the attacks on the military facilities to happen before Ancilla mission could be started.

Ancilla was excited to be armored up. It was an experience she rarely had. The armor reflected a time that Petra knew and the galaxy had forgotten. Simple armor that some Cavataio had during the old republic era that Ancilla could fit into. In some moments that Petra had, Ancilla got to see items that dated back before the Avatars’ births. The black armor was there to just help from physical harm and maybe a blaster hit or two. Outside of that, she needed to shot first for a good defense.

When Petra came to the transport ship and even came time to wait for Angelo to start his attacks. Ancilla had been waiting with rifle in hand. She was used to waiting long periods of time. They were often in rough positions most of the time so this was a piece of cake to do.

It was pleasing that Petra was in other hanger. Angelo did not want to start his morning with seeing her. When he finally rested, it had several dreams center around him and Petra facing off. They were mostly awful reminders that alone he would not be able to stand his ground. It needed to be shaken off because there was one thing more important. He had a question for Asteria that beyond overdue. So Petra had to wait for what she did to Nox.

Angelo got an update from the bridge about making it to the planet and entering the atmosphere. Shouting out to his people and the Bando Gora members to load up, he grabbed his blasters. Then he helped with carrying a crate to the transport ship. Getting a headset after putting the crate down, one foot rested on top of it as he held on to handle above.

The hanger doors up once it was cleared. His transport ship and the others that were coming with him began to lift up. He took the time to talk to his people that were leading the three other assaults. It was declared the military facilities near Ancilla’s target had to be drawn out while the furthest one needed the Aprilis and star fighters to level it. Also he added about the ship returning atmo would have the capital in high alert. The bridge confirmed it as they stated the ship was being fired at.

Lifting above the Venator ship, it seemed calm and peaceful. However as the transport pitched downward to head to the surface and cleared the ship revealed the chaos. The Bogden forces seemed to be more aggressive than Angelo thought. An idea formed that maybe his mother over the night alerted the government about the attack for her amusement. He did not want to deal with this on her terms. A moment was taken to think of a new plan.

It hit him when the transport shook from an explosion next to it. Angelo commanded the officer on the bridge filling in for Angelo to not let anyone outside of the bridge know the order was given to have Venus come and assist. Venus was another Venator class ship that was actually station in the system as base of operation for Cosa Nostra. He added that Aprilis’ target changed to the third military base and Venus would do orbital strikes on the fourth target and its ground forces would take the second target.

Taking his foot off the crate, his man next to him opened it. As Angelo checked if his crew got the updated plan, the transport ships opened their side doors. Cosa Nostra members moved to the open door with the rocket launcher from the crates. When they started to fire them down at the military base they were going to attack from the ground, hundred Bando Gora members geared up with what Angelo and his crew made leapt out of the ships. They free fell towards the base. Some were destroyed in the air but no parachute or jetpacks had some of the Bodgen forces a little confused. The truth about the eighty’ish that survived the fall was revealed. The impact of the bodies set off their vests and leggings. Explosions went off all over the base.

The distractions were used for the transports to land and everyone unload. Next wave of Bando Gora rushing the base walls came. There were more running towards the fire. Angelo had his people and ships fire at outer and on the wall defenses.

Meanwhile, Venus received Aprilis’ request. The captain would have ignored the request but it was Angelo. To the captains of the other Venator in Cosa Nostra’s fleet, knew about Nox’s death and how they felt about Angelo since they saw him as second in command when Nox was alive. The captain ordered the ship that was sitting just outside of the system to reenter it. He also commanded the DBY-827 come online and power up while the targeting crew get their new target marked. They knew once they were in one hundred seventy nine million kilometers away. They could unleash hell on a target that had no clue it was coming. The ship traveled at max speed to get into range and assist their brothers in arms. The captain also informed the Aprilis of their approach and their first attacks would be.

Hearing that Angelo men landed, Ancilla got herself ready right before the ship lifted into the air. The chaos had their ships off the radar for the moment. The tallest structure was their target and it was the communication facility for the planet. Unlike the other communication facilities elsewhere on the planet, this was the main tower for the planet’s contact to the galaxy. They were not advance like the core worlds which had towers all over but their resources allowed this one.

Ancilla jetted out from the ship the moment it landed. She and Bando Gora with her rushed the entrance of the building. Like the others did, she fired at anyone that was not with them. They were moving quickly but did not leave any stone left unturn on the first floor. Everyone had to be eliminated. The force moved on to secure more of the tower.

Waiting was not her favorite thing, but it had to be done. Her transport finally lifted up when Angelo’s forces touched ground. In the ship, other might have been focus on what would come when the doors opens. Petra was looking inward. The need for the spring within for what she desire had to be ready to spring forth. Standing silently, everything was being internalized for the witch as they moved closer to the surface. This was more important to her than listening to updates.

Petra’s body rocked with the ship’s movements. She was in her head. Drawing and building up the force while her mind was envisioning how she was going to do what she desired. Out loud with a dark, gravelly tone the words from her lips seemed to disrupt the force around her, and made those in the ship uneasy too. “Vom Himmel auf die Erde, aus den Köpfen zu den Herzen rufe ich wahren Kräfte der Gewalt. Innerhalb und durch einfache Zellen und komplexen Wesen, ist mein Wille, die Macht der Kraft. Mein Wille geschehe und alles tun wird. Wie es war im Anfang, so auch jetzt und allezeit, Welt ohne Ende.”

When the ship touched ground and Petra stepped out, the words she spoke before left her lips. The focus on the force and words seemed to make her steps heavy. Also appeared a trail formed behind her of the surfaces looking hundred years older than the surrounding area. The walk was slow enough for reaching the tower and having cleared the first floor. So as she entered the building, the words were side again.

The large lobby area was where Petra planned her spell. Using some of the built up force, a wave was blasted in an arch from Petra. Desks, chairs, tables, and plants flew away to smash into the walls. It left a large clear spot. Petra took her saber out. As it was ignited, the five Bando Gora took positions near the entrance to ensure no one could stop Petra. Where she stood, she carved into the floor Sith symbol. The first one was Sith symbol of passion and even as she it, she said, “Peace is a lie, there is only passion.” The symbol pulsed as it was finished and embedded it with some of the force.

Then came the second one, she walked in a small arch from the first. She carved the second which was symbol for strength and said. “Through passion, I gain strength.” Again, it pulsed when finished and embedded with the force.

Carving symbol of power, she said the next line. “Through strength, I gain power.” Like before, it pulsed when finished and embedded with the force.

Continuing, victory was carved in, “Through power, I gain victory.” Embedded with the force, it did the same as before with the pulse.

Next she carved symbol for the force, out came the bit not of the Sith Code one might know it. “Through victory, I enslave the force.” She repeated what she when finish the chant and carving.

Finally, she put her cult symbol into the floor. “Through the force, all shall worship me.” The force was embedded and all six pulsed this time. Once the six symbols were carved, Petra repeated it while saying the chant over and over with carving each symbol with each chant; also infusing the force into the carvings. The carving made a large circle; it had the chant done five total times. Then Petra made one more pass around the ring of symbols. Chanting the words and focusing deeper, when the chant was finish and was next to her cult’s symbol. She carved another one just below the other one. If the new symbols were connected with lines, they were form to start and complete a pentagram on the floor.

Everything was appearing to be in his favor. The base’s wall had large holes from the Bando Gora’s bodies blowing up against the wall. He had his people and ships focus on the weak spots on the walls to open it even more. Then things changed, hot red beam of lights came from the openings. A deafening sound came from behind, and next he knew he was getting a face full of the ground. Angelo was not alone on getting knocked down. Many were from several ships being destroyed.

The Bogden forces filled the openings with tanks. They blasted onto the Angelo’s forces while people were slowly getting up from knock down. There were more that reminded on the ground with ship shrapnel in them. Shaking his head as attempt to get rid of the high pitch tone he could only hear, the shard in his back went unnoticed because the rest of his body was sore too. No time was wasted as he went to get people back on the attack with their front line forming gaps. However, the tanks appearing did cause some ships leave the area.

Angelo contacted his officer on the ship. Still had the ringing in his ear, he tried to make it clear those transport ships returning needed to assist him, and he declare those that resist should be killed on the spot for treason to Cosa and the Cult. Then he wanted an update on the other fronts. The office stated the military base closes to the one they were assaulting had forces moving to them, and added that every alert had them as the main focus. It pleased Angelo the forces were focusing on him. Before he ended the transmission, he instructed the officer to get an update from Venus’ captain.

Picking a blaster up from a dead crew member, Angelo went back to the lines to help with eliminate the troopers for the Bando Gora to run in and take care of the tanks. More of the Bagden forces came out to return fire and put more bodies in front of the tanks that were taking chunks out of Angelo’s people. The end and believing this was the spot he would die surface to the front of his mind while firing at the other forces.

Then a blinding light flashed like a slow blink fill the sky. It was bright enough to have everyone stop to wonder where it came from. The answer came like a tidal wave. Wall of debris filled area and they all had to take cover for it as chunks of road, buildings, dirt, and bodies flew over. Structures were damage. Citizens panic more from it. Before the fighting started back up, another flash and cloud came washing over them all.

Orders were given, Ancilla wanted five men go to the transmission tower on the roof. Death would reward them if they sacrifice themselves to bring down the tower. She knew Angelo would use the Bando Gora like that so she reflected it. While they obeyed, she climbed floor by floor to look for the controller room to it. If there were backup towers, then it had to be known so those could be brought down too. Silence from the world into the galaxy and vice versa to better hear her deity’s words.

Everyone in her path met a quick death from her rifle or those with her. Ancilla was not wasting time with her searching. Others were taking the floors she was not on. Everyone was searching to make sure the task was completed and pleased their deity. Then thunder like roaring filled the floor with shaking and air pummeling through the halls. Like others, Ancilla was knocked down from the air blast. As she worked to get her feet, a second blast came through the building.

Commands had to be shouted over comms to make sure the men were getting back to their jobs. Ancilla had no clue what had happen. Moving to the outer walls of the building, the walls appeared like someone tried to scrap it off while the glass was gone. Even looking across the road to the other buildings, she saw the same treatment. She opened the comm more to question Angelo if it was them or the locals.

Moving out of the circle she made with the symbols, Petra focused on her hand and willed the force to heal the cut she made. Then that focus was placed at the center of the circle she made. The force began to swell up. The deaths and chaos in the force were being used to add to the force she was calling forth in her ritual. The force flowing through the planet was being tapped too.

Its energy poured over the point she was staring at. “Through my blood, I release my power.” Petra declared. The blood began to appear to smoke but it was the force being drawn up as ichor. Snaking in up into the air, Petra chanted other words to focus and command the force to her will. The craved symbols pulsed with a purple haze tone to them. The pulsing was in sync to Petra’s heartbeat. She kept chanting while the ichor, still linked to the blood, rose fifteen meters into the air over and met dead center of her circle.

As the blast came surging through the lobby, the ritual revealed a wall that was linked to each rising ichor. This wall forced the debris and blast to curve around it like it was a shield. The second wave did the same. Petra grinned as the deaths in those blasts fed her and the ritual more. The pulsing was more intense with more energy being absorbed into the ichor.

Twenty minutes ago on Venus. The gunners informed the bridge they were in range to fire and the DBYs were fully charged. The order was given to fire. The eight turrets fired the round from their left barrels. The right barrels release their energetic blast for one, two punch. The turrets were given time to cool and recharge while the ship moved on closer to Bogden.

Currently, Angelo was telling Ancilla to stop talking so he could find out. The comms he used to talk to his ship was broken. While he went through the wreckage of the transport ships the enemy tanks took down, his forces were assaulting the Bogden army with the suicide bombers more intensely. The reason for the search was to have direct line to his ship without having other ears on the channel like Ancilla and Petra. Of course, he did not know Petra was focus on her ritual for the world.

Ten minutes ago on Venus. Again, the gunners informed the bridge the status of the turrets. The order was given to fire once more. The eight turrets fired the first and moments later the second was fired too. The turrets were reset for orbital range and less power. This would allow the ship to fire more often than it just did. They were given a chance to cool again as the ship booked it closer to Bogden.

Presently, a comm device was found in the wreckage. Angelo called up his ship to get information. The officer added the captain of Venus on the channel too. It was discovered the two shock waves were result of Venus firing onto the base that housed nuclear bombs and nuclear power plants. Their two firing rounds had caused nuclear reactions to what was housed there, and they had set off two large, multi-kilo nuclear blasts. Angelo just out right laughed with hints of insanity in the tone.

Moments before the present, first rounds of Venus’ shots cut through the sky towards the base they had targeted. Area heated up from the blasts approached the surface. Since the fight was blind even for Angelo, no one knew Venus was firing on a base that had nuclear power plants and housed nuclear bombs. The impact and energy release of the blasts from the ship cause the plants and bombs to detonate like a multi-kilo nuclear blast. The flash and shock wave surged from the focal point.

In the blast, the second round of firing made it splash in the mess that had happen. The energy release mixed with the blast’s own energy. Heat and energy caused the elements to split again to blast a larger and strong explosion. Everything went up in seconds. The two blasts behaved like an world ending asteroid made its land impact. This was what Petra and Ancilla went through like Angelo and all in their hemisphere while other points on the planet experience earthquakes from the shock-waves.

Right now, Angelo stopped his laughing to hear updates about other armies moving closer to them and what bases were left. He instructed both to bombard the other bases and keep control of the sky over the city too. Looking over his forces, he asked for more to be sent down from Venus. It was joked about his cannon fodder was almost gone.

It was off putting getting told shut up by Angelo. Ancilla wanted to know if the attacking was going south or not. On her end, it had not been going so well. The teams were covering ten floors at a time in their search of people and control booth for the tower. All of it was becoming frustrating to the group.

The frustration rose for the Optivus Res when a team of Bando Gora reached the top floor to report the five she sent to the roof failed. The report had a guess of the blasts had knocked her men off the building. The order for them to finish the task was given. It did not take five minutes for loud explosions, building shake, and crashing of metal to occur. At least one matter was taken care of.

Walking over to one of many blasted out windows, Ancilla looked down at the streets below. Citizens were panicking from the blasts and now the city communications were interrupted. Some were rioting while others look to be fleeing to outer reaches of the capital city. This made Ancilla command her team to move back down to the first floor. She wanted them as defense from anyone that might want to play hero while her mother did her ritual.

Petra had her focus and power invested into the ritual. The surge of power from her into the circle was revealing a glimpse of her true appearance. One that darkness and time had corrupted and decayed so well; however, it was the price for her to paid for the moment to do her ritual right. Chanting more precise, she poured herself into fueling the power that the ritual needed. The ichor high above the center began to spin counter clock wise with the symbols pulsing a little faster.

Her hands reached up, extended as high as she could. Words poured from her lips in the chanting. Then she swung her hands downward. The ichor followed suit, and it slammed into the center of the circle. The impact was more like an object hitting water. It drove down into the floor while ripples went outwards to the edge of the circle. Yet, the ground did not cut the trail from the blood the ichor was fed from.

After a minute, the ichor rose back into the air from the ground. As it moved up, Petra’s hands were leading the action. At the height’s peak, flash of purple light filled the room surge down every opening in the building like a blast. It reacted like a whip being cracked. Petra swung her hands down again to send the force back into the ground. This time, the impact caused an earthquake that could be felt several miles away. It also caused five large purple glowing veins to reach from the circle’s cult symbol. They slowly split into smaller veins and went down hallways, crawled outside of the building, and even went up the walls.

Repeating the action several more times as she chanted in Ancient Sith and Paecian, the force building up in the air and ground to only get a little release of pressure when it cracked like a whip in the air. However, the release was not enough and more power poured into the ritual the more Petra looked like a corpse that been dead for centuries. It was the force used in forms of spells that made held her young appearance to hide what the Cavator spell had really done. This reveal only came because she was focusing it all into the ritual.